Sunday September 20, 2009

Banking on brains

By PRIYA KULASAGARAN

They grew up watching their parents slog to move up the corporate ladder. Now these youth are changing the rules by wanting a lifestyle rather than just a job.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP - the term more often than not tends to bring to mind magnates such as Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Malaysia’s own Tony Fernandes, all self-made people who played by their own rules.

But is there all there is to being an entrepreneur, reaping millions from taking risks?

From left: Zul, Aidan, Michael and Saifuddin in a discussion about a collaborative project for youth.

“It’s not just about making money,” asserts Youth Entrepreneurs Malaysia (YEM) co-founder Michael Teoh.

“It’s about generating ideas to change the status quo.”

The urge to produce young entrepreneurs seems to have reached a fever pitch level in the higher education arena with universities, employers and ministers calling for the promotion of creativity and leadership skills.

However, simply emphasising the need for innovation may prove futile for the average university student if he or she does not know how to translate these ideals into practical action.

In that context, YEM’s mission could not be more timely: to mobilise the next generation of youth entrepreneurs.

Officially set up in early 2009, the organisation works as a support-network for young people who wish to explore the world of entrepreneurship.

Aspiring entrepreneurs need to learn the ropes by carrying out their ideas, no matter how small.

“Our particular targets are ‘wandering students’, being those who have the beginnings of ideas but aren’t quite sure what the next step should be,” says Michael.

“We also work to bring in companies who wish to fund enterprises under their corporate social responsibility programmes or just want to invest in small ventures.

“Even corporate recruiters come to us to snap up and groom young talent.”

Aside from expanding its online database and organising numerous public youth events, YEM also goes into tertiary institutions to conduct workshops and forums on a voluntary basis.

So how does YEM’s efforts differ from other entities professing to teach youth about entrepreneurship?

Michael explains that by bringing in speakers who can directly relate to the student population, the sharing of experiences is more effective.

“Our approach is to inspire young potentials, not just coach them,” says the 22-year-old.

Michael thinks that an entrepreneur does not just make lots of money but also creates ideas that bring about benefits to society.

“And the best people to do this are upcoming entrepreneurs who are still charting their way to success.

“A business tycoon talking about his company’s triumphs is not going to connect to the average college student. The gap is just too wide. ”

“It’s way more effective to have a speaker or trainer who can identify with his audience,” interjects Aidan Chew, 26, a regular speaker at YEM events.

“Someone whom students can easily look to and say; if he can do it, why can’t I?”

Aidan is certainly a qualified speaker under these requirements; he was first winner of the reality show Nescafe Kickstart at the age of 22, and is co-founder of Leaderonomics Entrepreneur Academy.

Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) member Fareez Shafiqar, 22, thinks that the way the workshops are carried out force students to think out of the box.

He cites a leadership camp carried out by SIFE and YEM: “This was in the middle of the jungle, and participating teams had to accumulate RM350 within four hours - they were all stripped off their money and mobile phones, so it was quite a challenge.

“Some teams approached tourists and orang asli settlements to help with odd jobs, while some even caught fish to cook and sell.

Daniel: Celebrate failures to learn from them

“I think that experience was more valuable in sparking someone’s creativity than any classroom lesson.”

Creativity and skills aside, what really drives young entrepreneurs to take up the risks of self-employment?

Michael’s answer is almost Oprah-like in its revelation: “It’s just this inner desire to make my thoughts come true.”

As he shyly mentions turning down five-figure salaries at well-known companies, his counterparts heartily echo the sentiment of pursuing this desire.

“I am doing reasonably well, but it is a struggle sometimes,” says Aidan, proving his point by lifting up his shoe to reveal a broken heel.

“But all the experiences I’ve had in this field has made my life more meaningful.”

“Some think that we’re dreamers aiming to be multi-millionaires,” says Daniel Cerventus, the man behind Malaysia Entrepreneurs and long-time proponent of youth entrepreneurs.

“The fact is, it’s like any other vocation — we’re just passionate about ideas.”

This rapture for ideas appears to be a central concept in the entrepreneurship community; one that does not receive as much mainstream attention as the cash rewards of successful businesses.

“Yes, you can get really rich by being an entrepreneur, but for me, the real rush comes from making a living by coming up with new ways of doing things,” adds Daniel.

BarCamp participants create their own content for the conference, with topics ranging from business skills to salsa dancing.

The 28-year-old’s zeal for generating ideas does not end with mere musings — Daniel actively organises a flurry of networking events for people to exchange views and thoughts.

Among the most notable is the BarCamp Malaysia series, where anyone is free to share his or her expertise.

“BarCamps are basically conferences where participants create their own content,” says Daniel.

“We tend to attract bloggers, techno-geeks and creative types, but the audience is really diverse. Topics can range from communication skills workshops to salsa dance lessons.

“We even had a girl who gave tips on how to date Japanese women - it doesn’t have to be serious all the time.”

Enterprising communities

While some use their entrepreneurial leanings to form links and new concepts, other use their talents to rack up good karma.

International non-profit organisation SIFE for instance, is built on the philosophy of instigating university students to make a difference in their communities through business.

At the same time, it aims to give young people a practical entrepreneurship experience and train them to be socially responsible leaders.

Students form teams in their university campuses and develop outreach programmes for the benefit of underprivileged communtities using business concepts.

The teams then participate in a series of regional and national competitions which provide a forum for them to present the results of their projects, and to be evaluated by business leaders who serve as judges.

SIFE Malaysia country coordinator Zul Saadon lists an array of student projects, from the use of ‘bio-worms’ to improve farming to the marketing of local handicraft.

“It’s all about students using their educational background to improve other people’s quality of life,” says Zul.

“We run an outcome-based programme, so instead of just projections, teams need to come with practical projects that will reap real long term results.”

One outstanding initiative that illustrates this philosophy - the Kampung Kipouvo home-stay project - was carried out by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students in Penampang, Sabah.

Emerging as champions of the recent SIFE Malaysia national competition, the UMS team not only created jobs for the villagers as jungle guides, cooks and housekeepers, but also promoted ‘voluntourism’; where visitors are encouraged to contribute to the local community.

So far, tourists have built a new bridge, painted murals for the community kindergarten and conducted English Language lessons for children and adults.

“We’ve had over 100 visitors from England, Australia, Japan, India and Vietnam,” says SIFE UMS team member Azalia Abdul Rahman.

“This is just phase one of the project, and so far it has created 22 job opportunities.

“Next, we’re looking at helping the villagers expand and market their homestay, as well as identifying other beneficial side ventures.”

While its efforts are noble, Zul is keen to address the misconception of SIFE being a charitable organisation.

“There is a charitable element to our projects, but our main focus is allowing communities to be self-sustainable through education and skills-training.

“Students not only transform the lives of the underprivileged, but gain hands-on entrepreneurship experiences.”

Advice

With phrases like ‘revolution’ and ‘idea-generation’ being bandied about, conversation with these young leaders about their schemes is not unlike one with a group of artists.

“There are so many successful youth projects but they’re not highlighted enough!” exclaims Michael.

“Take the Unreason innitiative, where people can submit their solutions to everyday problems to be voted and funded by the public.

He adds that organisations like YEM, SIFE, Aiesec (an international youth leadership exchange programme) and creative outfit Young Guns serve as meeting points for productive brainstorming.

So what should be the starting point for a newcomer to this realm?

Daniel offers pragmatic advice, saying, “Voice out your ideas and take the initiative to get involved with the community.

“And don’t fear failure, celebrate it!

“I’ve had my fair share of failed ventures over the last 10 years, and I have to say that you learn best by doing.”

Perhaps Aidan’s summary of entrepreneurship best reveals all one needs to know.

“It’s not a 9 to 5 job; it’s a lifestyle,” says the young entrepreneur.

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